Royals Kate and William share family photo with Prince George and Princess Charlotte

The royals have shared an official family photograph of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two young children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

It bears none of the hallmarks of the embarrassing Family Christmas portraits that do the rounds this time of year.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in a photograph taken late October 2015 at Kensington Palace in London.Credit:Chris Jelf

Instead, and true to form, Kensington Palace released a prim, professional shot of the photogenic young royals beaming as they huddle together on the green lawns of the palace in London.

Duchess Kate beams as she cradles the now six-month-old Charlotte, whose dark locks almost match her own.

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Prince George at Kensington Palace, London.Credit:AP

Prince George - with his famously pinchable, plump cheeks - stands mid-giggle by her side as his father, William gazes fondly at his children.

"The Duke and Duchess are hugely appreciative of all the warm messages they have received about their family this year and are very much looking forward to their first Christmas as a family of four," a statement from Kensington Palace read.

The moment was captured in October by photographer Chris Jelf.

"I thoroughly enjoyed photographing a very lovely family, although you have to be sharp as you don't have long when there are two young children involved!" Mr Jelf said in a statement released by Kensington Palace.

Duchess of Cambridge pregnant with second child.Credit:Getty Images

"I hope everyone enjoys this photo and I am honoured that The Duke and Duchess have decided to share it with the public," he said.

In other royal-cheek-related news, Prince George will begin attending Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk in January.

Prince George and his new sister, photographed by the Duchess of Cambridge a few weeks after Princess Charlotte was born.Credit:HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

"We are looking forward to welcoming George to our nursery where he will get the same special experience as all of our children," the school said in a statement.

The Duke and Duchess thanked the public for their support and respecting the privacy of their children.

"As George begins to attend nursery, they continue to ask for his privacy to be respected," Kensington Palace said.